What happens when an entire Broadway cast is made up of understudies?

We arrived at Operation Mincemeat disappointed that all five roles were being performed by understudies. We left wondering how the show could possibly have been any better.

The understudies deserve enormous credit. But the secret sauce is the system around them.

A production capable of changing every performer and still delivering at that level is remarkable. My initial feeling of disappointment was because I believed the value was tied to “the starting five.” Nope! The quality lives not only in the actors, but also in the casting, rehearsal, direction, standards and culture.

The system produced five excellent performances because that is what the system is built to produce. The cast changed. The standard did not.

Of course I thought about RCS. Our clients shouldn’t have to hope that one particular investigator or forensic examiner is available. The goal is for the same excellent judgment, care and quality to show up regardless of who handles the matter—and whether or not I am involved.

Great people create excellence. A great organization makes that excellence repeatable.

The understudies were excellent. That wasn’t luck.